☀ Leaders reached a political agreement in principle on two landmark agreements, the Economic Partnership Agreement and the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which will bring huge benefits to the populations of both the European Union and Japan

☀ The depth of this agreement goes beyond free trade. It makes a statement about the future of open and fair trade in today’s world. It sets the standard for others. As far as we are concerned, there is no protection in protectionism. Only by working together will we be able to set global standards when it comes to safety, environmental or consumer protection said the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker.

☀ Before attending the G20 Hamburg Summit tomorrow EU and Japan discussed their cooperation in other important areas, including on joint efforts to address the global threat of climate change and other international challenges.

We will reconvene for a working dinner dedicated to external relations. I will share my reflections after the recent international summits and meetings, including with President Erdoğan. President Donald Tusk

Implementation of the EU Global Strategy: The discussion is expected to cover all of the five priority areas for work on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, which includes: security and defence, building resilience and an integrated approach to conflicts and crises, strengthening the nexus between internal and external policies, updating existing or preparing new regional and thematic strategies and stepping up public diplomacy efforts.

EU-NATO Cooperation: The Council will adopt conclusions on the report, welcoming progress made in the implementation of the common set of proposals and calling for further steps in the same direction. The report highlights the width and depth of the EU-NATO relationship and outlines the key results obtained so far in the implementation of the common set of proposals, that is the 42 actions endorsed by the respective Councils of both organisations in December 2016. The report underlines the progress made in the 7 areas identified in the 2016

Counter-terrorism: The Council is expected to reiterate its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purpose. Noting that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that the EU has a vital interest in continuing to work with partners at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels in countering this diverse threat.

Migration : One year after the launch of the partnership framework, foreign ministers will take stock of the progress made regarding the EU’s comprehensive approach to effectively manage the external aspects of migration in key countries of origin and transit, on the basis of the 4th progress report by the High Representative and the Commission.

Iraq : Council is expected to highly commend the Iraqi Government of Prime Minister al-Abadi and the Iraqi security forces for the significant advances they have made in the military campaign against Da’esh over the past months. It is also due to reiterate its steadfast support for Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

♰ ☠ The report aims to facilitate the use of private security companies. The report concerns private security companies, including private military companies, and their usefulness for the EU and Member States in the field of security and defence. The report aims to facilitate the use of private security companies.

♰ ☠ These companies currently provide logistical back-up to support combat on the ground as well as participating in post-conflict reconstruction. They have also been used in both civilian and military CSDP missions.

♰ ☠ United Left Group rejects the use of public money to finance these private companies, which in practice means subcontracting mercenaries to fight in wars, thus contributing to world insecurity and instability. The use of private security companies in the field of state security and defence, since this is not a matter that should be left in the hands of private interests using military mercenaries. The privatisation of security and defence and any form of privatisation of war.

♰ ☠ Using private security companies makes it possible to carry out military missions that have little public support without having to commit to sending troops.

☁ U.S. President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change will be discussed on Wednesday. In European Parliament and MEPs vote on legislation implementing its 2030 emissions-reduction targets.

☁ The withdrawal of the US from this international agreement, in particular one which is a priority for Germany, additionally weakens the relationship between Berlin and Washington. The withdrawal from the Paris agreement, in the negotiations of which Germany had been heavily involved, was received in Germany as the most serious break in relations with the US.

☁ Trump’s decision strengthens the position of China in global climate diplomacy. Today China is the largest market for zero-emission technologies, and invests the most in them worldwide. The withdrawal of the US (15% of global emissions) leaves China (30%) as the most important negotiating partner for the EU (9%) and Germany (2.2%).